Methamidophos

Methamidophos (O,S-dimethyl phosphoramidothioate) is a non-systemic organophosphorus (OP) insecticide and acaricide used to control a variety of horticultural and agricultural pests.

Methamidophos has been listed as a chemical subject to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (the Rotterdam Convention). Australia became a party to the convention on 18 August 2004.

Prior Informed Consent (PIC) is a procedure that promotes a shared responsibility between exporting and importing countries in protecting human health and the environment from the potentially harmful effects of certain hazardous chemicals that are being traded internationally. It allows countries to make informed decisions about the chemicals they import and contributes to the processes of managing chemical risk.

Methamidophos is included in the PIC procedure (in soluble liquid formulations that exceed 600 g active ingredient) because of its acute hazard classification and concerns about its impact on human health under conditions of use in developing countries.

Methamidophos review

Status: review in progress

In May 1995 methamidophos was nominated for review as part of the Existing Chemicals Review Program (ECRP) which was established to systematically review a number of Agvet chemicals which have been on the Australian market for some time.

In April 2002 the APVMA (formerly the NRA) began a review of methamidophos over concerns about its high acute and chronic toxicity, and its potential to cause delayed neurotoxicity. This action was based on advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) that methamidophos may pose a potential hazard to public health and should be re-evaluated using contemporary data and assessment standards.

In May 2002 the APVMA released the Methamidophos Review Scope Document which outlined the information needed to conduct a scientific assessment of methamidophos and included a call for public submissions. The period for public comments and the submission of additional information closed on 31 May 2002.

Following the assessment of methamidophos the APVMA will release a preliminary findings review report outlining the proposed regulatory arrangements for the future use of methamidophos. There will be a public consultation period providing all members of the community with an opportunity to comment on this report before it is finalised.

The APVMA will issue a final report once the assessment of all available data is completed.

For more information please contact the Chemical Review Program on (02) 6210 4749 or by email to chemrev@apvma.gov.au

Review report	Date
Methamidophos Scope Document ( PDF - 143KB)	May 2002

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APVMA methamidophos archive

Title	Date
Gazette Notice: Proposed reconsideration of methamidophos	Apr 2002